The residential workshop was a knowledge and experience sharing field visit organised as part of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC), Empress Shoken Fund-funded Ground Water Recharging for Disaster Preparedness Project, which is being executed by the Kurunegala Branch of SLRCS.
The programme commenced at the SLRCS Kurunegala Branch's training hall with an introduction to the organisation, Climate Change Adaptation (CCA), Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), and the Ground Water Recharging for Disaster Preparedness Project.
In the initial discussion, the students were separated into three groups: agriculture engineering, soil and agriculture, and social science aspects.
The students were instructed to gather information and uncover results with a preference for their chosen groups, and to submit their findings at the end of the residential workshop.
On their field trip in Galgamuwa, the students spoke with village personnel and beneficiaries, while SLRCS resource personnel accompanied the students to raise awareness about groundwater recharging linked to CCA and DRR.
The students enjoyed, while learning far more than they could have imagined.
As discussed at the initial stage, the students presented their findings with great enthusiasm at the Irrigation Training Institute (ITI) in Galgamuwa, using PowerPoint presentations, videos, and discussions.
The students’ communication and analytical skills based on their findings were greatly appreciated by the resource personnel and staff of SLRCS.
The Ground Water Recharging for Disaster Preparedness Project is developing 65 home steads in the Ihala Palukadewa region, with 42 of them now running extremely effectively.
These home gardens could be used to assess the success and feasibility of the project's groundwater recharge technologies.
The project's positive influence on people's mindsets, as well as the rise in soil moisture level owing to groundwater recharge, is strongly represented in these existing home staeds.
The project's indirect advantage is that it will help to alleviate the present economic crisis and food shortages.
Branch Executive Officer of the Kurunegala Branch of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, Sarath Wickramasinghe said:
“It was a pleasure to work on the project with the Faculty of Agriculture at the UoP. My team has worked relentlessly via the project for a better environment for the people.
One of the key goals of the project is to raise awareness and capacity, and being able to interact with students is confirmation that the project's execution is in good hands, since they represent the future of this specific industry.
We are excited to continue working together to help Sri Lankan communities thrive in the future”.
One of the primary goals of the Ground Water Recharging for Disaster Preparedness Project is to raise awareness and capability.
To accomplish this goal, the initiative has recommended conducting awareness-raising and training programmes for key stakeholders.
These programmes were created to promote both knowledge and views about the necessity of ground water recharge.
The target stakeholders were grouped into three categories: community, school, and university.
Programmes were held for each level, using appropriate resource personnel and methodologies.
“After visiting these locations, we realised the need for ground water recharge in villages.
We were given the opportunity to visit these locations and see for ourselves the effects of such a project and its success in people's lives as a result of the SLRCS's knowledge and experience sharing programme.
Not only in the long term, but also in the near future. We are appreciative of the opportunity and hope SLRCS continues success with similar programmes in the future”, added the Final Year Undergraduate, Faculty of Agriculture, UoP, Sunimali Attanayake.
Percolation pits, Percolation Trenches, Lock and Spills, and Percolation Wells are four techniques utilised in the groundwater recharging project to enhance groundwater levels using rainwater.
The National Water Supply Drainage Board (NWSDB) recommends these approaches, apart from that, the Agriculture Instructor in charge of the region was informed about all of the construction, and the Department of Agriculture provided direction through them.
The digging and trenching were finished first, followed by the installation of gutters and pipes.
The project is anticipated to recharge the groundwater from the mentioned constructions, allowing for the development of home gardens and water catchment areas.
As a result, the type of groundwater charging unit received by each beneficiary is governed by the location, size, and land use.
About Sri Lanka Red Cross Society
Sri Lanka Red Cross Society has been in operation since 1936, initially as the British Red Cross Society and then as the Ceylon Red Cross Society.
In 1952, it was recognised by the International Committee of the Red Cross, which accepted it into the currently known International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
The organisation intends to guarantee its initiatives are implemented and the programmes are executed in the long term, in adherence to the various components of the movement and in compliance with the Seville Agreement and the 2030 strategy.
The organisation is currently a total membership of 100,000 with 8,500 active volunteers, operating in each administrative district in the country with 25 branches.
The organisation acts before, during and after disasters and health emergencies to meet needs, improving lives of vulnerable people in Sri Lanka, without discrimination.
For more information, visit: www.redcross.lk
